BGEA also announces Billy and Ruth will be buried at Charlotte library, not The Cove in Montreat.
From the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association comes word that Ruth is near death, and that she changed her mind about where she wants to be buried:
Earlier this spring, after much prayer and discussion, Ruth and I made the decision to be buried beside each other at the Billy Graham Library in my hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina.
We have held this decision privately and only decided to announce it now that she is close to going home to Heaven.
Ruth is my soul mate and best friend, and I cannot imagine living a single day without her by my side. I am more in love with her today than when we first met over 65 years ago as students at Wheaton College.
Ruth and I appreciate, more than we can express, the prayers and letters of encouragement we have received from people across the country and around the world. Our entire family has been home in recent days and it has meant so much to have them at our side during this time. We love each one of them dearly and thank God for them.
Graham spokesman A. Larry Ross told reporters that Ruth's health had rallied after she was treated for pneumonia two weeks ago, but later deteriorated. Graham, 87, slipped into a coma this morning. The Asheville Citizen-Times reports that four of the couple's five children are at the Grahams' home in Montreat now, with the fifth, Ned, en route.
Update (6/14, 8:18 a.m.) after the jump
The Washington Post's Laura Sessions Stepp, who in December broke the story about the Graham family dispute over Billy and Ruth's burial site, has several details today.
[Though Ruth had earlier signed a document saying she wanted to be buried at The Cove and that "under no circumstances am I to be buried in Charlotte, N.C.,"] in March, Ruth and Billy signed another document saying they wanted to be buried in Charlotte, according to BGEA spokesman Larry Ross. Ross said the paper was signed in the presence of an attorney and a doctor. ...
After the Post story ran, Billy said he and Ruth would be buried at the Cove. In early January, David Bruce, Billy Graham's executive assistant, circulated among the family a tentative plan for Ruth's burial at the Cove. Asked two days ago whether that plan was still in place, Bruce said it was, as far as he knew.
Ned Graham said yesterday that when he visited his mother a week and a half ago, she told him she still intended to be buried at the Cove. He said he and his sister Anne first learned of the change last night.
"I know this goes against my mother's wishes," he said. ...
According to Ross, Ruth Graham has been alternately conscious and unconscious for a while. Earlier this week, with a doctor's approval, Billy and several of the children, including Franklin, decided to withdraw the solids and liquids from her feeding tube, Ross said.
Earlier in the week, she was talking and asking for Coca-Cola, chocolate and gravy, Ned said, and staff members occasionally slipped a bit onto her tongue.
It's ironic that Ruth's final moments are concurrent with this public family dispute. Ruth worked very hard to protect her family from public scrutiny, and to keep family tensions quiet.
Posted by Ted Olsen on June 13, 2007 1:55PM
Comments
Ruth Graham has been role model for me all my Christian life. I want all her family to know how much her words, honesty, and example have meant to Christian women all over the world. Thank you, Ruth, for being a real woman, an honest woman, and a faithful and loving woman all these years. I can't wait to meet you in Heaven.
Virelle Kidder
Posted by: virelle kidder at June 13, 2007
Did Ruth change her mind or was her mind changed for her? Now that she's in a coma and going to die I guess we'll never know. Sounds like a slick business decision more than a happy family one to me though.
Posted by: Jim at June 13, 2007
What a beautiful, lovely, sweet soul Ruth Graham is. What a loss it will be when she leaves us here..but what a gain in Heaven when she enters the gates. My thoughts and prayers and love are with the Graham family today. She is a role model of the highest order and we moms, aunts, friends who have daughters, should definitely look to her example and teach these children that instead of embracing what the world THINKS they should be/look like/listen to, that we look to Christ everyday, as Ruth does, and embrace what He COMMANDS us to be, in love. God bless the Graham family.
Posted by: MD at June 13, 2007
Blessings to the Graham family on this day. What a beautiful woman of God Ruth is...I'm sure it's nearly time for her to hear those wonderful words from our precious Savior, "Well done my good and faithful servent." May the Lord grant each of you sweet time with Mrs. Graham while she's here on this earth, knowing you'll be dancing for eternity with her someday! Thank you Ruth, for your years of dedicated sacrafice and support of your husband and our Lord. You are a true example of a virtuous woman...run to the arms of Jesus now and receive your reward!
Posted by: Stephanie at June 13, 2007
My prayers are with Dr. Graham and his family today. May our Lord comfort you at this difficult time. As the family struggles with the decision of where to bury her body, please remember that she will not be there, but will be with Jesus.
Posted by: Judy at June 14, 2007
Sending love and prayers for the family members, Even though you will miss her presence on this earth she will be free of pain and worshiping at the feet of are risen savior. And you will have a glorious reunion in heaven one day soon. May the Lord comfort you and give you peace in this trying time. In christian love. Julia S.
Posted by: J.S. at June 14, 2007
I just want the Graham family to know that the members of the Madison Avenue Baptist Church in Sacramento CA prayed for the Graham family last evening during our prayer time. Everyone present agree with God for His will to be done and prayed that His loving and everlasting arms would ease Mrs. Graham's passing, and support the family in his love.
Posted by: Dale Robinson at June 14, 2007
O Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word, for mine eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared before th face of all people, a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and to be the glory of Your people Israel.
May the God of peace grant His peace to the Graham family and to His servant Ruth.
Barnabas
Posted by: Barnabas at June 14, 2007
Praise God for the lives of Billy and Ruth Graham. I have followed them most of my life. I have been to several crusades as a counselor and I heard him speak at the Cow Palace in the 1970's. We were able to enter the crowded audience only because of our crippled (multiple sclosis) friend in a wheel chair as we needed to be with him. Thank you Mr. Graham for your faithfulness to the Lord and your example. My parents and I listened to your radio program for years and grew spiritually because of it.Praise the Lord!!! Shirley
Posted by: Shirley Hawkes at June 14, 2007
Our families' prayers and thoughts are with the Graham family and friends.
Billy and Ruth Graham and family have been sent by God to be an example of HIS love to the world.
May HIS peace and comfort be with you in this time of "walking through the valley of the shadow of death."
Thank you for your wonderful love for God and all the work your family has done.
Blesings,
Michele
Posted by: Michele at June 14, 2007
We thank our Heavenly Father for Ruth and Billy Graham, for their love for Him and His people, for their boundless faith and enthusiasm for the work of the Good News, for their unflinching hope in the midst of sometimes dark and difficult circumstances, and for the encouragement drawn by the entire Body of Christ for their gracious and Christlike example. The modern version of the evangelical movement began with the Graham Crusade in Los Angeles in 1949, and continues to this day around the world. May God grant them peace and blessing in these deep transitions, especially from earth to heaven, as they await our Lord's "Well done". In Christ, Ed and Maxine Gross, Vanguard Global Network, Lexington, South Carolina.
Posted by: Ed Gross at June 14, 2007
Fox News reports that Ruth is now home.
Posted by: alison at June 14, 2007
PRECIOUS IS IN THE SIGHT OF TE LORD
THE DEATH OF HIS SAINTS
PSALM 116:15
Ricardo
Posted by: Ricardo Perugorria at June 14, 2007
It matters not where she is buried, for she is present with her Lord.
Posted by: Donna at June 14, 2007
As a sister in Christ to many, wife and helper to Billy Graham, dedicated mother to her children, grandmother to her grandchildren and many nations, Mrs. Ruth Graham lived a fulfilled life to the glory of God - such that should challenge many alife today including myself, be the person a man or a woman.
Words alone cannot describe who Mrs. Ruth Graham is, other than to conclude that, she is the type of woman talked about in Proverbs 31: 10 - 31.
For the Graham family & friends, we in the Good Samaritan Ministries Senegal mourn with you of her departure and rejoice with you that, she has gone to be with Our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ forever.
Be strong!For you are not alone.
Many are with you and Christ above all.
Posted by: Raymond FOLAJI-TIPSON In Good Samaritan Ministries Senegal at June 15, 2007
Priase God for the ministry the Graham family has had over the years and the lives they have touched for eternity. Our prayers are with you through the days ahead.
Posted by: Fleming/Bryan family at June 15, 2007
As a 15 year old in 1957, I came to Jesus at Madison Square Garden, dedicating my life to His service. Through 26 years of missionary life the Grahams have been an inspiration for my life. What a blessing to have been part of the Kingdom work with them. Our prayers are with the family and their close friends.
Posted by: Rosario Batlle at June 15, 2007
"The Lord has promised that he will never leave us or desert us" Heb 13:5 Especially in our sorrows!
God Blesses those people who grieve, they will find comfort!" Mat 5:4
God bless you in your time of need! Thank you for helping so many others come to know Christ and for comforting us through our own grieving.
God bless you, Graham family.
Love,
Tracy
Posted by: Tracy at June 15, 2007
While a student at Wheaton College, I was honored to chauffeur Dr. and Mrs. Graham, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Kresge of the Kmart Corporation, from their hotel to the college before the dedication of the Billy Graham Center. As you can imagine, driving through Chicago area traffic for 45 minutes with Billy Graham in my rear view mirror was nothing short of intimidating for a 20 year old college junior. I prayed during the entire journey! After Dr. Graham and I helped Mr. and Mrs. Kresge into their wheelchairs upon arriving at the building, I spent a part of that day before the actual ceremony with Mrs. Graham and others, "behind the scenes." During the drive to the college she became enamored that my last name was Wheaton, the same as the school's. From that point on, she befriended this student with her kindness, humor, and ability to make a stranger her friend. I cherish the memories of those few hours with her as we talked and laughed, sharing stories with each other. A week later I received a hand written note from Ruth, thanking me for my service and commenting on how much she enjoyed our time together. The letter resides with my parents back in Chicago, and serves as a reminder of the day I met a wonderful lady and how special she made this stranger feel. The love of Jesus flowed from her as I'm sure thousands of other strangers can attest. I look forward to the day I can again share stories with Ruth as we laugh together.
Posted by: Jeff Wheaton at June 15, 2007
To Dr. Graham and his family.
We wish for you God's peace as you grieve, and as you look forward to the joy you will know in heaven. What 'Little Christs' you have been to me to millions of others.
Love in Christ,
Erma Kahle
Posted by: Erma Kahle at June 17, 2007
Billy Graham and Ruth Graham have comforted us and inspired us, taught us and loved us all. Ruth has gone on to her final home and rest and peace free now of pain and in HIS house. Our prayers are with Billy and their family --- we're sure her passing leaves an emptiness and void in all their lives but the assurance they too will one day enter HIS house. Praise be to God! We wish you God's peace and comfort. Harry & Jinny Barnes
Posted by: Harry & Jinny Barnes at June 17, 2007
It’s deeply disapppointing that a person so respected for supposed Biblical knowledge would show so little thereof by declaring that his wife “had a great reception in heaven.” Although we understand that this must be a difficult time for him, he is misleading people.
Not only is the belief that people go to heaven when they die grossly foreign to the Bible, it also shows how much modern Protestantism is close to Catholicism and far from its ideal of restoring biblical truth to Christianity.
The Bible has many references to the state of the dead as being a sleep and a state of unconsciousness. The verses below substantiate that.
People quote the episode of Jesus on the cross to support this idea. Any greek Lexicon will tell you that the Greek didn’t have punctuation so Jesus didn’t say, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” He really meant in today’s English: “I tell you today: You will be with me in Paradise.” That is also confirmed on John 20:17, when Mary wanted to touch Jesus in the Garden after his ressurection: “Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; FOR I AM NOT YET ASCENDED TO MY FATHER: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and [to] my God, and your God.” If Jesus went to Heaven on Friday when he died, why did he say he had not yet ascended to His Father?
*Death was considered by Jesus to be a sleep; (John 11)
*Solomon said, “The dead know nothing” (Ecc 9:5-6). ‘The dead praise not the Lord’ (Psalm 115:17). If they are in heaven then they sure are not praising the Lord there!
*Jesus continues: “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. (John 11:11-14). If Lazarus was already in Heaven, why did Jesus bother to bring him back to life?
*Paul also agrees by saying that Jesus “has already been resurrected and become “the firstfruits of those who SLEEP”. Elsewhere he says, ‘The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, … and the dead in Christ shall rise … and so shall we ever be with the Lord’ (1.Thessalonians 4:16, 17).
*The immortality of the soul and the belief in Heaven and Paradise do not go together. There’s plenty in the Bible about Jesus coming back, the resurrection of the righteous, the millenium in Heaven and the New Earth. Revelation is full of references of the reward of the righteous, AFTER the Resurrection when Jesus comes, not AFTER death.
I’m sure there are difficult passages on this subject in the Bible but those MUST NOT contradict the clearer passages on the state of the dead.
Ultimately, the "immortality of the soul" excludes the need for the resurrection. Furthermore, it annuls the hope that I need today to overcome death once and for all when Jesus returns. It also gives me a false comfort that my loved ones are in heaven with God when the Bible clearly teaches that they're just sleeping waiting for the return of Christ and the final judgment.
And that is precisely the problem I have with Billy Graham's statement. As a man known for his commitment to Scripture, shouldn't he be pointing to be blessed hope of resurrection promised by Jesus to those who were faithful? ‘The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, … and the dead in Christ shall rise … and so shall we ever be with the Lord’ (1.Thessalonians 4:16, 17).
He is one of the champions of this doctrine and people are being seriously misled.
Thanks for the discussion!
God bless!
For more information, visit http://www.amazingfacts.org.
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